Vancouver Broadway Subway Project

--Total Cooling Capacity: 2,000 HP · HVAC Solution for North American Rail Transit Infrastructure

The Vancouver Broadway Subway Project is one of the largest transportation infrastructure investments in British Columbia in recent years. The project extends the Millennium Line west from VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus Street, adding 5.7 kilometers of rapid transit infrastructure, entirely underground, with six new stations. With a total investment of approximately CAD 2.95 billion, the line is scheduled to open to the public in fall 2027.

As the transit backbone of BC's second-largest jobs centre, the corridor is home to world-class health services, an emerging innovation and research hub, and growing residential communities. Upon completion, the extension will provide fast, reliable transit service through one of the region's busiest corridors.

Vancouver's temperate maritime climate features wet and cold winters, placing stringent demands on ventilation and temperature control within underground tunnels and stations. As enclosed underground spaces, subway stations generate significant equipment heat loads and accommodate dense passenger traffic, requiring air conditioning systems to operate reliably year-round. Furthermore, as public transit infrastructure, the HVAC system must meet North America's rigorous energy efficiency and environmental standards, maximizing passenger comfort while minimizing operational energy consumption.

Hisense provided the Hi-FLEXi S Series air conditioning solution for the Vancouver Broadway Subway Project, with a total cooling capacity of 2,000 HP. The series adopts a new generation of all-DC inverter technology and enhanced vapor injection compressors, meeting the rail transit sector's stringent requirements for high reliability, broad climate adaptability, and low operational energy consumption.

Key technical highlights of the solution include:

 

01.Extreme Climate Adaptability for Year-Round Reliable Operation
The Hi-FLEXi S Series features exceptional wide-range operation capability, performing reliably in extreme temperatures from -30°C to 55°C. Whether facing Vancouver's cold, damp winters or occasional summer heatwaves, the units deliver continuous and reliable temperature control for the stations.

02

IP55-Rated Electrical Control Box for Harsh Environments

The units feature an IP55-rated electrical control box with a four-layer sealing structure that effectively blocks rain, snow, sand, dust, and insects. Combined with micro-channel refrigerant cooling kits and ventilation fans for efficient heat dissipation, the system ensures stable and reliable operation even in high-dust, high-humidity tunnel environments.

Patented 360° Refrigerant Cooling Technology for Electronics Protection

The units utilize patented 360° fitted refrigerant cooling technology, effectively cooling the entire electrical control box. This overcomes poor heat dissipation and resolves high ambient temperature issues inside the electronic box, ensuring the inverter module maintains efficient and reliable operation under harsh conditions.

04

All-DC Inverter with Heat Recovery for Energy Efficiency

Featuring all-DC inverter energy-saving technology, the units deliver significantly improved energy efficiency. The system also supports heat recovery mode, enabling simultaneous cooling and heating within a single refrigerant circuit, effectively reducing overall station energy consumption.

05

Modular Design and Flexible Installation for Complex Station Layouts

The units feature a lightweight and compact design with a significantly reduced footprint compared to previous generations. With a maximum total piping length of 1,100 meters and a single pipe length of 220 meters, the system offers exceptional installation flexibility within the limited spaces of underground stations.

The Vancouver Broadway Subway Project represents a landmark reference for Hisense HVAC in North America's large-scale rail transit infrastructure sector. The successful implementation of this project not only provides reliable environmental control for the 5.7-kilometer subway extension connecting Vancouver's core districts, but also fully validates the Hi-FLEXi S Series' outstanding performance in extreme climates, complex installation conditions, and high-reliability applications. Upon its scheduled opening in fall 2027, the project will deliver fast, comfortable public transit service to millions of residents in the Vancouver region